Carmelo Anthony Returns to Denver for the First Time Tonight – Butch Hates Him

Today is a big day for me. Carmelo Anthony returns to Denver for the first time since demanding a trade and leaving a year and a half ago. Because of the strike last season the Knicks never made it to Denver. After supporting someone for 7 and a half years and having them walk out on you like "Melo" did, I can't wait to tell him how I feel tonight! 

As a former season ticket holder for the Nuggets, and a committed follower even before the Carmelo Anthony days, it really pissed me off when Carmelo Anthony left town. Not because I thought we needed him, or he was my favorite player, but because of all the support, time, money, and energy spent cheering him on for almost 8 years. It meant nothing to him.

Anthony was offered more money to stay in Denver, but he still refused to sign the Nuggets generous contract. He wanted to, like many other NBA stars, build an all-star team in New York with his buddy and fellow star, Amar’e Stoudemire. All this whining and complaining came from Carmelo as his long time coach was home battling cancer and the Nuggets were trying to push their way into the playoffs.

Finally late two seasons ago, Carmelo was traded where he begged to go, and in return the Nuggets received Italian player Danilo Gallinari among others. Gallo, as he is sometimes called, is one of the Nuggets best players without having to shoot the ball 35 times a game like Carmelo did, and doesn’t mind letting someone else be the star for the night if it helps the team win.

The Knicks all-star team beat the Nuggets earlier this season, and it just fueled my fire. But Carmelo has yet to return to Denver since the trade, that changes tonight. You can bet I will be in the crowd, and probably will be lucky if I don’t end up in jail for throwing something at his head.

I realize we, the Nuggets, are better without him, but I am still hurt by the lack of loyalty shown by someone who was loved and supported for so long. I am hurt, Denver is hurt, and I can't speak for the whole crowd, but there will be a lot of us at the Pepsi Center tonight showing Melo exactly how we feel!